Resources from the UT Senate of College Councils

Applying to UT

ApplyTexas guide

• Many students struggle with the ApplyTexas application for UT. It is not like other college application websites and can be frustrating to use at times, especially for out of state students. These resources have been compiled to help ease the process for students applying to UT.
• User guide from Apply Texas  https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/docs/ApplyTexas_Application_4Year_App.pdf
• Advice from apply Texas https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/html/fresh20_help.html
• FAQs https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/html/faq_top10.html
• What to expect https://ingeniusprep.com/blog/applytexas-application/
• Apply Texas guide for Houston community college- modify as needed for UT https://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/48080/ApplyTexas%20Application%20Guide.pdf
• Apply Texas advice and in depth guide https://assets.ctfassets.net/n4mniz0krvft/3xoaoUiAQga4Em2EoEomiK/27dc7edbdb95b4244e6c8955a0309bb1/Apply_Texas_Guide.pdf
• https://getschooled.com/article/5633-completing-the-apply-texas-application/
• Check my status frequently to ensure UT has received documents and check your admission status https://admissions.utexas.edu/mystatus

Beyond apply Texas- sending test scores, transcripts, and the FAFSA

• FAFSA
  • FAFSA help https://www.nasfaa.org/fafsa_tips
  • FAFSA what to expect https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out
  • UT FAFSA https://onestop.utexas.edu/managing-costs/scholarships-financial-aid/apply/

• Sending test scores 
• Send to: https://testingservices.utexas.edu/cbe/sending-scores-ut-austin
• FAQs https://admissions.utexas.edu/standardized-testing-policy-FAQ
• Claiming credit https://testingservices.utexas.edu/sts
• Transcript
• Must be an official transcript sent directly from the institution
• If you did dual credit through high school, two separate transcripts must be sent: one from your high school and one from the college  
• Transfer credit https://ugs.utexas.edu/vick/new-students/transfer-credit
• Where to send physical copy: University of Texas at Austin, PO Box 8058 Austin, TX 78713-8058
• Electronic copies cannot be send via email, the institution sending the transcript has special way to send it and should know how 

Out of state students

• Statistics: https://admissions.utexas.edu/explore/freshman-profile
• Understand Texas residency https://admissions.utexas.edu/residency
• Out of state student association https://utexas.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/OOSSA
• CNS out of state tuition wavier: https://cns.utexas.edu/honors/scholarships/out-of-state-tuition-waivers

STEM research

• FRI- Freshman Research Initiative
• Information: https://cns.utexas.edu/fri
• Benefits:
• Lab credit 
• Connections
• experience
• Application for entering freshman https://cns.utexas.edu/fri/students/getting-started/apply-for-fall
• Application for transfer and current students https://cns.utexas.edu/fri/students/getting-started/apply-for-spring
• Streams: streams are different focuses of research that each FRI student is put into. Once in the program, the student choses their top streams and is randomly chosen for one https://cns.utexas.edu/component/cobalt/items/5-research-streams 
• Unofficial FRI guide from past students (note: streams change from year to year so some streams listed may no longer be offered and new streams may not be listed here) http://utcatalyst.org/fri-streams
• Eureka: website listing the research opportunities at UT, you must first create an account and then you can filter research opportunities based on department, area of interest, etc. and save projects you are interested in. Each project also lists requirements to be a part of the research team and who to contact about getting involved. 
• https://eureka.utexas.edu/

How to email a professor about research:

• have an informative subject line
• be concise
• be formal: Dear Dr. Smith; Sincerely, Your Name
• not use Mrs. or Ms.
• NOT have slang, abbreviations, or emoticons
• if applying for an opening:
• address any qualifications the professor is looking for
• demonstrate your experience
• if asking for a research opportunity:
• state specifically your interest in that research group (you need to read the professor's website)
• explain why research is important for your goals
• ask to schedule a meeting or say that you will be coming to office hours

Example:

Subject:  Meeting to discuss undergraduate research opportunities in topic

Dear Dr. Professor,

I am a year student at university majoring in major.  How you found out about the professor's research.  Expression of interest in specific paper or topic.  I would appreciate the chance to talk with you about your research in topic of interest and about possible undergraduate opportunities in your lab.

My  experience in research experience or class, confirmed my intention to develop my research skills and goal. I know you are very busy. We could schedule an appointment or I can drop by your office hours on day and time.

I have attached my resume and unofficial transcript.  Please let me know if there is any other information I can provide. I look forward to talking to you soon.

Best,

Name